Characteristics of FASD

There can be a lot of misinterpretation that goes along with understanding and working with individuals who have a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. FASD is an invisible disability; its physical characteristics can be subtle or non-existent and may go unrecognized. We cannot see brain damage so instead we see behaviours that can easily be misinterpreted.

Infants

Every child is unique, but infants with FASD may show signs of some or many of the following. They may:

Be born too soon/ be small at birth.

Have problems sucking and swallowing

Be fussy – often cry, tremble and shake

Be prone to infections and illnesses – especially ear infections

Either under or over react to pain, cold or touch

Have trouble sleeping

Have jerky movements

Have slow development/ growth

Have cleft palate/ cleft lip or other birth defects

Toddlers

Toddlers and preschoolers with FASD may also have some or many of the following. They may:

Be very active

Be slow to speak and then mimic others

Be unaware of the consequences of their actions

Have no fear of strangers

Not understand what others are saying

Be too affectionate sometimes

Have trouble sleeping and eating

Be able to say what could happen to them if they would do something dangerous, but will still do it

Mirrors the behavior of the support staff or parent who has responded to a problem with alarm or anger

Is feeling backed into a cornered and attacked.

Experiences self-hatred and wishes to punish himself

Has developed secondary mental illness

Has lost hope and becomes suicidal

The brain and neurological system operates differently in these young adults and all aspects of their lives may be affected. They experience the world differently in the following kinds of ways: how they see, hear, touch, taste and smell; how they learn; how they experience emotions; and how they understand the behavior, language and emotions of other people.

These differences have major impact on the day to day lives of the young adults It may limit their ability to understand the social world; to anticipate the consequences of their actions; to problem solve and to deal with the challenges of everyday life.

Great learning source to know more about FASD characteristics (link to knowfasd.ca)

Understanding behavior

Assumptions – Our assumptions about why behavior is occurring directly influence how we respond to the behavior. Support workers and parents may find that they need to rethink their assumptions:

AVOID assuming that the behavior is intentionally defiant, annoying or disrespectful.

ASSUME INSTEAD the following possibilities – that the young adult:

Is confused and doesn’t understand what is expected

Is somehow distracted or forgetful

Is able but somehow inadequately supported or motivated to participate

Is able but somehow inadequately trained to perform the expected behavior

Is unable to learn at the present time

Young adults with FASD often have difficulty expressing their feelings, thoughts and needs.

A good way to look at the behavior of the young adult is to think of it as a puzzle that needs to be solved.

For caregivers:

An important part of your job as a caregiver is to work toward understanding how the young adult experiences and understands the world. This may be quite different from how you experience and understand the world.

Babies don’t grow out of alcohol related birth defects. They have them for life

Sources:

Asperger syndrome Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder The Adult Years Help for Front Line Staff and Parents By Karen Phillips and Meredith Porter

FASD The Basics The prevention Conversation

What is FASD?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a preventable, lifelong disability resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol that has no cure. Learn more about FASD

About NEAFAN

The North East Alberta FASD Network (NEAFAN) is one of twelve FASD Service Networks set up across Alberta to enhance FASD services and supports. Read more

Healthy Pregnancy & Prevention

Every mother wishes for a healthy baby during their pregnancy. The days leading up to the birth of a child are the most crucial in their lifespan. Learn more